Mandi Cries, CM Delays — Jairam Accuses Govt of Playing Politics Over People's Pain!

Shimla, July 21 — Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Himachal Pradesh government over its handling of the Mandi disaster. Addressing a press conference, he alleged that a well-performing executive engineer was transferred under political pressure, and no senior officer has been deployed in the disaster-hit region so far.

Thakur questioned the Chief Minister’s delayed visit—nine days after the disaster—followed by an insufficient ₹1 crore relief announcement despite damages estimated over ₹500 crore. He criticized the absence of a special package and accused the government of leaving the affected areas at the mercy of local patwaris.

He also condemned the move to shift institutions like the Panchayati Raj Institute and Horticulture College from Mandi, calling it political vendetta as the disaster occurred in his constituency. Thakur demanded immediate relief, community shelters, and better coordination of rescue efforts. He alleged the government is busy “counting JCBs” rather than acting decisively.

Calling the statements of Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi irresponsible, he urged the CM to take strict note. Thakur asserted he has been stationed in Mandi for 20 days, while the CM is more focused on optics than real help.